DIY supercar accidentally became a Hollywood icon
Published on Jun 07, 2025 at 9:17 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jun 03, 2025 at 5:13 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Fenton
The supercar has long been intertwined with the bright lights of Hollywood.
Europe and America’s finest have frequently starred on the silver screen.
Back in the 1970s, one such supercar enjoyed such status.
But it was extremely unique – because this Hollywood icon was also a DIY build.
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Ladies and gentlemen – meet the one-of-a-kind Manta Virage.
This fiberglass-bodied kit supercar is powered by a street-legal Chevrolet engine.
The Virage was the brainchild of two brothers; Brad and Tim LoVette.
Brad and Tim established Manta Cars in 1974 in Southern California.
These California kin were obsessed with the iconic Can-Am Challenge Cup.
This racing series was renowned for encouraging innovation.
It peaked in popularity from the mid-1960s to the 1980s.
It led to the creation of some truly incredible, boundary-pushing concepts.
And the Manta Virage very much was to follow in that innovative vein.
It could either be finished at home or through an authorised assembler.
And this 1,900lb street missile came with a beast of a powerplant.
Typically, the engine of choice would either be a 4.6 liter or a 5.7 liter Chevrolet V8.
The LoVette brothers designed the Manta Virage as a mid-engine kit car.
And it led to some very impressive performance, including exceptional handling.
Because of the heavily customisable nature of the Virage, performance numbers varied.
On average, 0-60 performance was well under the five-second mark.
Top speed figures typically would range around the 150mph mark as well.
Considering that the starting price was less than $6,000, one can see why the concept quickly grew.
Aside from its performance on the street, the Manta Virage quickly grew as an icon off the street.
In 1975, the Manta Virage starred in the cult film, “Death Race 2000”, starring David Carradine.
Carradine drives a frightening, aggressively-modified Virage that quickly made the car an icon.
It would also star in the original “Gone in Sixty Seconds” that was released in 1974.
Today, the Manta Virage supercar serves as a reminder of more innovative days in the car world.
This DIY supercar still endures as one of the most well-known Hollywood cars of all time.
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Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
